Constable quits job to test political waters

Giving up a government job for a plunge in the unpredictable political waters may not seem like an ideal career choice, but J M Savitha, a police constable, has risked what a few would.

A BA graduate from Vasavi College, Savitha will contest the August 22 BBMP poll from ward number 156, Srinagar, on a BJP ticket.  

She has served as a constable for the last 12 years. From 2003 to 2006, she was posted in Basavanagudi women’s police station. From 2006 to 2015, she served in the office of the Director-General of Police (Public Relation Office).

“From the time the polls was announced, I wanted to contest. But I was in a dilemma.... who would like to let go of a government job and that too in the police department,” she said.

“My father, C Mayanna, served as a party worker in the BJP for more than 20 years. He also contested from BJP in the previous BBMP polls from Srinagar ward and lost by 88 votes. I was motivated to be a politician only by looking at my father. I also used to observe him listening to the plight of the common man and the joy from solving their issues,” she said.  “I always wanted to serve the people. So I joined the police force, but I could not do much, as we are held up with various other works. Also, we cannot help people as we are in the lower rung of the system,” she added.

Savitha’s husband Chandrashekar is a manager in a private company. She has two children, while her daughter is studying in class X, her son is in class IX.